by Ann Brashares
Introduction and Acquisition: Heard of the book in passing, then saw the movie a couple of years ago. cute, harmless. the book was hefted on me by a friend who was cleaning out her bookshelf.
What's cool: A good story of friendship, interesting take on the rites of passage for young women going from high school innocence. I do like the way she told four stories and four situations, rather than trying to cram all the dramatic twists on one person. From an adult point of view, it was interesting the implications of bipolar disorder suggested in Bee's character. The author leaves us with impressions, no needing explicit details of the characters' backgrounds. It was well kept in the present while explaining some of the past.
What sucks: While it's hard to call these catagorizations "criticisms", it must be recognized that this is a book that's firmly at home in the bounds of Young Adult section. The glossed over absent sex scene leaves it too old for younger kids, and that very same scene makes it too whitewashed for anyone older. And why are the two "beautiful" girls described in detail - olive skin, long glossy blonde hair - but the other two, well we know what they wear. And Carmen has a big butt.
Recommend?
Definite Young Adult book.
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